Chapter 21

A/N Thank you, everyone who reviewed, you always make my day! I still don't own them. hope you like it!

~oOo~

'Well, what do you think?' Charles Carson asked Elsie as soon as they had settled themselves in the train back to Downton. He hid a smile; her sparkling eyes already told him.

'I think it's wonderful,' she said, almost dreamily, then chuckled.

'What is so funny?'

'It just occurred to me that we shouldn't forget to actually get married, now that we've already had our wedding night,' she laughed, looking up at him. Charles grinned. After mentioning having to consult his wife in his letter to Mr Banks, of course that gentleman had took them for a married couple. Neither had felt the need to correct him, and when subsequently they were offered a double room at the hotel, they had made the most of it.

'You're right,' he nodded, 'we'll see the vicar as soon as possible. Now, since we'll be in this train a good five hours, shall we discuss the plans?'

~oOo~

They had left Downton the previous morning at seven, to visit the small hotel in Southend-on-Sea. It appeared to be perfect. Overlooking the sea and located at the main street, it had fourteen rooms, half of them having private bathrooms. Comfortable but not overly luxurious, and manageable because it wasn't too big. The owner, Mr Crosby, had showed them around and told them the ins and outs. Over dinner they had discussed business, and Mr Crosby's proposal met their approval. They would move in early January, get to know the town and the regular staff. During winter most guestrooms were unoccupied, but the restaurant did well, Mr Crosby said, and from April till September they were usually fully booked. By that time Mr and Mrs Carson no doubt should be able to run the place themselves, he expected. After dinner he took them to meet his wife, who was currently bed-ridden, her illness having forced him to give up the hotel, much to his grief.

'I understand you've had a long day, and I suppose you need time to sit and think it over. We have prepared one of our guestrooms for you,' Mr Crosby told them around half past nine. 'I'll escort you there, and Albert will bring you a bottle of our finest wines.' He preceded them to the second floor and opened one of the doors. 'There you are, Mrs Carson, Mr Carson,' he said, showing them in. 'Albert will be up in ten minutes. I suggest we meet at breakfast tomorrow morning, say, at half past eight? Good night.'

Charles stood riveted at the spot, staring at the double bed. Charles felt his face flush. Good heavens. Now what? It wasn't that he didn't….he did, very much so, but what about…they weren't married yet. What would she…

But Elsie just smiled and walked in. He was pulled out of his musings by her delighted voice from the bathroom. 'Charles, a bathroom, just for us! We'll ask Albert to wake us at seven so we can have morning baths, I'd love that!' He smiled at her excitement. A knock on the door announced Albert, bringing a bottle of wine, glasses and some cheese and nuts. Charles peered at the label: it was indeed a fine wine. He thanked the young man and asked him to wake them at seven.

Elsie left the bathroom and was only mildly surprised to see him still standing where she left him.

'Charles?' she said tentatively.

His cheeks flushed some more. 'It's the bed,' he managed. 'I didn't mean to…'

He was cut off by her arms around his neck and her lips against his.

'I know you didn't mean to, but there it is,' she whispered in his mouth. 'Please Charles, take me to bed with you.'

'But… Elsie, there is…we are…' he stammered.

She kissed his mouth shut. 'Don't be the starched butler now or I'll scream! I want you Charles, please, I want you to make love to me…'

His reserve shattered, he groaned, buried his face in her neck and stroked her back.

'Very well woman, you shall have what you asked for,' he whispered in her ear, swept her up in his arms and carried her to bed.

She laughed and began to remove his tie and collar while still in his arms. He placed her on the bed and admired the sight before he joined her. They slowly undressed each other, taking their time to kiss every new part of bare skin exposed.

The wine remained untouched.

Much later, Charles woke up in the pitch-dark room, not knowing at first where he was…and when he found his arms wrapped around a warm, luscious body and his nose buried in long dark hair, he felt a smile spread on his face. His darling Elsie. She never ceased to surprise him, he had to admit. Never before had a woman enjoyed herself in his arms like that, he didn't even know such things existed. She had moaned and groaned and squirmed and begged...now, please Charles, ….oh yes!

Finally she had fallen asleep in his arms, her head tucked under his chin.

The next morning after breakfast, Mr Crosby suggested a walk on the beach since it was a lovely autumn day .Mr Crosby lead them to the pier and as they admired the view, Charles put his arm around Elsie's shoulders and pulled her to him, feeling delighted to be able to do so in public. 'I think we've got enough information to go with,' he told Mr Crosby. 'We will need to pack up now, if we're to catch our train back, it's a long journey. I will send you word of our decision within the week, if that's soon enough?'

'Certainly,' answered their host. 'I have to say, Mr and Mrs Carson I would be very happy if you decide to take over the hotel. I believe you two would do perfectly.'

They were given a basket with a prepared lunch to enjoy on the journey home, 'to have another taste of our kitchen' as Mr Crosby had put it, and in it they found the bottle of Pinot Grigio they never got to enjoy the previous night. A note attached to it read: With compliments of the house, and in hope to meet you again soon. Yours, David and Anne Crosby.

~oOo~

As the train approached Downton station, Mr Carson noticed a subtle but undeniable change in his fiancée. The smile had left her eyes and was replaced by the slightly nervous and worried look he had seen there the last months. She probably wasn't aware of it herself, but he was shocked. After seeing her so happy and carefree the short time they'd spent elsewhere, this change in her made him realise just how strained life at Downton had become for her.

Even his Lordship's kindness couldn't make up for that, he realised. She would always feel a bit shy and awkward around him, now that he knew exactly what his father had thought of her, and her body… and then there was the Dowager. He didn't quite understand why she harboured such an immense dislike to Elsie, seeing as she had not been the old Earl's only secret lover, but he had seen enough of that grudge to realise it wasn't going to diminish any time this century.

Poor darling, he thought. If I had any doubts about this big change of lives, this makes them vanish. We will write our letters of resignation tomorrow, so we'll have enough time to employ new staff and train them and then we're off. Oh, and we have to remember to get married. That thought made him smile and he wrapped her in his arms, just because it was the last opportunity to kiss her before the train would stop.

'I'm scared,' she whispered, her face buried in his chest.

'I know, Elsie,' he said softly in her hair, 'and I promise you we'll have that smile back in your eyes before you know it, my dearest girl.'

~oOo~

The next weeks went by in a haze. Like Mr Carson had intended to, both his and Mrs Hughes' letters of resignation appeared on Lord Grantham's desk the next morning. His Lordship immediately called for the butler.

'Carson! What am I to do now!? Both my senior staff leaving at the same time! Where am I to find adequate replacements?! I offered you and your wife a place together here, Carson, even if it's extremely unusual to have senior staff married. Is it not to your liking? Are you unhappy here?' Lord Grantham ranted against the butler.

Mr Carson cleared his throat.

'Milord,' he said, 'may I speak?'

'Go on.'

'Thank you milord.'

Mr Carson then told the Earl of Grantham about Elsie Hughes, and how he, perhaps even more clearly than she did herself, saw how difficult and uncomfortable life at Downton had become for her. Being away for a day had showed him the difference in her state of mind. He explained how Mrs Hughes would never be at ease anymore around his Lordship, even when she'd acknowledged his kindness towards her. But he had read the diary and she felt awkward and ashamed in his presence. And there was the Dowager.

'I spoke to her several times,' Robert said. 'She feels Mrs Hughes stole my father away from her because he loved her. I personally don't think that to be true, the diary only mentions her…certain qualities of her, never love. My mother estranged her husband from her herself, but she doesn't want to know.'

'I'm sorry milord.'

'Yes, well. It is the way it is. I do understand Mrs Hughes' feelings, but I would like to have a word with her before you both leave. And what about your replacements?'

'I believe Mrs Bates is quite ready to take over as a housekeeper, Milord. As for the butler position, the most experienced would be Barrow…'

'Absolutely not!'

'I quite agree. Then there's Moseley, who in my opinion isn't quite up to the task…'

'Nor is he in my opinion. Any more suggestions?'

'I believe so Milord. There's Mr Stills, who used to be butler at the Wickford estate with Lord Seacole, the Earl of Mayland, you have no doubt heard about the tragedy.'

'Indeed I have, the most terrible thing.'

'Mr Stills is a most experienced butler, I know him and he is available milord,' Carson said.

'Very well, have him over for an interview! I suppose we have to get used to changes. You and Mrs Hughes would retire anyway some day…but I tell you this Carson, my wife won't be happy to let Mrs Hughes go. The best and efficient housekeeper ever and above that she is the most sensible and kindest of women.'

'She is milord, and that's why I want to make her happy,' Carson said.

~oOo~

Elsie wrote a letter to the younger Mr Nash. She explained how things had changed since Lord Grantham had been given the diary. Since Mr Jones had been found, thanks to Mr Nash, lord Grantham had the intention to visit him, whether the Dowager Countess approved or not. Elsie expressed her most heartfelt thanks and asked him to give his uncle and Mr Nash her regards.

He sent her the kindest of replies, wishing her well for the future and thanking her for stirring the thing up. Jones would finally receive an apology, and that was what he needed most, Mr Nash stated.

Mrs Anna Bates burst into tears when she was informed of her promotion. No matter how trained and prepared for the housekeeper job she was, she just didn't want to see Mrs Hughes leave.

'You're ready for the job Anna,' Elsie told her, 'you will do excellent, trust me.'

'But I will miss you so much Mrs Hughes,' Anna said, tears pooling in her eyes.

Elsie wrapped the girl in her arms. 'And I will miss you, my dear, dear girl, very much …promise me you'll write,' she asked gently.

'I will, very often,' the next housekeeper, Mrs Bates smiled through her tears.

~oOo~

Mr Stills had presented himself at Downton as the new butler and had been welcomed by the family as well as the downstairs staff, with the exception of Mr Barrow.

'I am very sorry to bother you with this Milord, but I have to report Mr Barrow's intention to leave your service, should you employ Mr Stills as the new butler, ' Carson reported one morning. Lord Grantham laughed out loud.

'Have Barrow write that down, black on white and we'll hire Stills even if he can't spell his own name!' he declared.

'Very well, milord,' Carson bit back a smile but the Earl noticed.

'Of course we'll hire Stills, he's nowhere as perfect as you but then no one is. It's just that I'd like to get rid of Barrow, once and for all.'

'Very well, milord,' Carson repeated. He bowed and left the room.

~oOo~

That evening saw a dinner party, attended by the Dowager Countess, Mrs Crawley and Lady Rosamund. Before dinner was served however, Lord Grantham made an announcement.

'Now that we're all together, I think it's the right moment to inform you about Carson's and Mrs Hughes' impending departure,' he said, though his wife and daughters already knew. 'They are going to get married.'

'I'm glad you decided to send them away,' the dowager said firmly. 'It would be an insult to our house to keep them here. A married butler and housekeeper, impossible!'

'I don't see why that's impossible,' Mrs Crawley immediately responded. 'Have you really dismissed them? I think that's unfair Robert, after all it's not the middle ages any more, no matter what Cousin Violet may believe!

'Indeed we do not and I didn't fire them,' Robert said, slightly irritated. 'In fact, I offered them a set of rooms in the east wing. They leave by their own accord.'

'I'm very happy for them,' Cora stated, 'I think it's terribly romantic, don't you Isobel?'

Mrs Crawley nodded, but the dowager once again flared.

'I think it's absurd!' she spat. 'Carson would never leave this house! That woman must have forced him! I will have…'

'Not again mama!' lord Grantham said impatiently. 'I've had enough of this obsession of yours! We'll have it settled once and for all!

He rang for the butler.

TBC